PUAOPE012A
Control a Level 1 incident

This unit covers the competency required to control a Level1 incident through the use of local or initial response resources.This unit includes the competency to proceed to the incident, to assess the incident, to plan and implement an operational response and post-response activities.A Level 1 incident is characterised by being able to be resolved through the use of local or initial response resources only. In a Level 1 response the major function is operations, that is, to resolve the incident.Control of the incident is limited to the immediate area and therefore the operations function can usually be carried out by the Incident Controller. Being relatively minor, the other functions of planning and logistics will generally be undertaken concurrently by the Incident Controller.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

This unit applies to people responsible for:

developing an Incident Action Plan

achieving the incident objective

providing a safe work environment

managing the incident as effectively and efficiently as circumstances allow

keeping relevant people informed and aware of incident progress.

The authorisation to control a Level 1 incident is subject to organisational policies and procedures.


Prerequisites

PUAFIR302B Suppress urban fire (Fire sector specific)

OR

PUAFIR303B Suppress wildfire (Fire sector specific)


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Receive incident response request

1.1 Requests for response are received and dealt with in accordance with organisational policies and guidelines.

1.2 Relevant incident information is obtained and assessed to inform decision making processes.

1.3 Location of the incident and most appropriate route to the incident are ascertained.

2. Proceed to incident

2.1 Personnel, equipment and transport resources are dispatched promptly, consistent with the nature of the incident and information available.

2.2 Communication is established and maintained.

2.3 Appropriate route to the incident is followed to minimise response time.

2.4 En route hazards are recognised and negotiated to minimise risk.

2.5 Observations are made en route to assist with incident assessments.

2.6 Multi-vehicle response is conducted in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.7 Arrival at the incident is confirmed according to organisational policies and procedures.

3. Assess the incident

3.1 Communications are established in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

3.2 Initial assessment of the incident is carried out promptly.

3.3 Hazards or potential hazards are assessed and monitored so that they are minimised or controlled.

3.4 Resources are assigned to deal with the incident.

3.5 Need for additional resources is identified and resources are requested in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

3.6 Actions are taken to protect, secure and preserve incident scene where required.

3.7 Incident potential is assessed and transition to a Level 2 incident is considered.

4. Establish and maintain control

4.1 Control and command are established in accordance with legislation, and organisational policies and procedures.

4.2 Incident Action Plan (IAP) appropriate to incident situation is developed based on available information and organisational procedures.

4.3 Strategies and tactics are determined and tasks are allocated to appropriate personnel.

4.4 Incident personnel are briefed clearly, accurately and in a timely manner.

4.5 Relevant incident information is communicated to key stakeholders.

4.6 IAP is implemented, continually monitored, reported on and reviewed in the light of additional information and is communicated in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

4.7 Appropriate resources are deployed to deal with the incident.

4.8 Response is adjusted in a timely manner.

4.9 Leadership, supervision and team welfare are provided to ensure performance and practice are to operational standards.

4.10 Changes to the IAP are communicated to relevant personnel and organisations.

5. Conclude operation

5.1 Final incident assessment is conducted in accordance with organisational procedures.

5.2 Incident actions and decisions are recorded in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

5.3 Incident is concluded in accordance with organisational requirements.

6. Supervise post-response activities

6.1 Welfare of team members is assessed and appropriate action is taken.

6.2 Equipment cleaning, repair, storage and replenishment is supervised.

6.3 Debriefing requirements are met.

6.4 Post incident reports are prepared to organisational requirements.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

assess risks and apply safe work practices

communicate effectively

conduct an incident assessment

conduct briefings and debriefings

deploy personnel and equipment to deal with the incident

develop and maintain incident situational awareness

make and implement decisions

use communication equipment

Required Knowledge

agency policies and procedures for determining the Control Authority and Incident Controller

agency procedures for establishing control and communicating to relevant authorities

agency protocols for liaising with stakeholders and media on scene

Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) structure and principles

briefing/debriefing requirements

current navigational practices to perform navigation

occupational health and safety (OH&S) agency safe work practices, and health and welfare arrangements at incidents

organisational incident management system

organisational policies and procedures relating to operations (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

organisational process for developing IAP objectives, strategies and tactics for a Level 1 incident

organisational process for developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing IAP for a Level 1 incident

procedures for protecting and preserving an incident scene and recording requirements

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

develop, implement and monitor an IAP to effectively deal with an incident

direct and supervise incident control activities

maintain situational awareness.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in an actual or simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

simulation of Level 1 incidents in a response environment

relevant transport, communications equipment.

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.


Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

When dealing with aircraft response, performance may be affected by:

Airstrip length requirements

Engine type-piston

Fire behaviour

Load capacity

Pilot ability

Range

Task

Terrain

Twin/single engine

Turbine

Weather

Wing configuration

When dealing with aircraft response, suitability may be affected by:

Communications systems availability

Pilot local knowledge

Range

Speed

Take off capability

Visibility

When dealing with aircraft response, supervising of aircraft management procedures include:

Aircraft separation - vertically and horizontally

Direction

Fire Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (F-CTAF)

Height separation

Inbound/outbound calls

Temporary restricted space

Organisational policies and guidelines may vary between sectors and organisations and may include:

Civil Aviation Orders and requirements

Environmental management and sustainability

Incident management systems

Interagency liaison

Legislation

Operational policies, procedures and standards

Procedures, requirements

Search and rescue time/procedures/action

Incidents may include:

Accident

Animal and marine mammal rescue

Crime

Fire

Flood

Hazardous substances and dangerous goods

Public disorder

Rescues

Searches

Storm

Transport may include:

Aviation

By foot

Horses

Maritime

Rail

Vehicular on-road and off-road

Hazards may include:

Adverse weather

After-dark operations

Civil unrest

Crowds

Dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Debris

Difficult terrain

Fire behaviour

Hazardous trees

Interference to communications

Level of visibility

Masts/aerials

Other aircraft

Powerlines and cables

Restricted areas

Road conditions

Smoke

Structural collapse

Terrain and topography

Tidal and flood behaviour

Traffic

Wildlife

Incident assessments may include:

Access and egress

Adequacy of allocated equipment

Capability of assigned personnel

Climatic and weather conditions

Crowds

Disruption to essential services

Evacuation zones

Hazards/no go areas

Information gathered from existing plans/databases

Installed fire protection

Nature, type and size of incident

Risk to life, property and environment

Type and construction of building

Communications may include:

Audible alarms/whistles

Computer

Distress signal units

Facsimile

Ground to air

Hand signals

Mobile data terminal

Pager

PA equipment

Radio

Telephones

Verbal and written instructions

Resources may include:

Aircraft (rotary- and fixed-wing)

Equipment

Materials

Maps

Navigation aids

Personnel trained for the task

Protective clothing

Pumps

Vehicles, vessels, aircraft and machinery

Incident Action Plan may include:

Accommodation and welfare arrangements

Air Operations Plan

Communications Plan

Incident objectives

Information on alternative or fallback strategies

Information Plan for dissemination of information to all stakeholders

Information regarding the necessary logistical arrangements

Management structure if established

Maps or site plans of the incident

Medical Plan and consideration of OH&S issues

Statement of current situation and predictions of the incident's likely development (including key risk exposures)

Strategies to achieve defined incident objectives

Structural chart

Timings of meetings and changeovers

Traffic management

Written or mental plan

Key stakeholders may include:

Affected individuals

Community groups

Media

Other agencies

Team welfare may include:

Fatigue management

Physical needs such as refreshments

Physical stress

Psychological stress


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.